Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-06-23 i Star

Famous Brands, Africa’s largest restaurant franchisor, reported a resilient financial performance for the year ended 28 February 2025 in its annual report, despite challenging operating conditions marked by a deteriorating infrastructure environment, and cash-strapped consumers. The group, which owns and franchises major South African food brands such as Steers, Wimpy, Debonairs Pizza, Mugg & Bean, and Fishaways, posted a 3.2% rise in revenue to R8.28 billion, up from R8.02 billion the previous year. Operating profit grew by 12.6% to R914 million, while headline earnings per share climbed to 520 cents, from 465 cents in 2024. CEO Darren Hele credited the group’s performance to disciplined cost containment, brand resilience, and a robust business model. “Our financial results are thanks to strong cost control, the enduring appeal of our brands, and the…

Public service union issues warning regarding more than R500 million at GPAA The Public Service and Commercial Union of South Africa (PSCU) has issued a stark warning regarding the alleged financial mismanagement of pension funds amounting to more than R500 million at the Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA). In a letter to the GPAA CEO Kedibone Madiehe over the weekend, the PSCU requested clarification and remedial measures in response to the troubling findings of the pension administrator’s Internal Audit Report for the 2024/25 financial year. The GPAA is a government component which reports to the Minister of Finance and administers funds and schemes on behalf of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), the largest pension fund in Africa. It thus administers the pension affairs of approximately 1.7 million government employees…

Payments of stipends to participants in South Africa’s Labour Activation Programme (LAP) have been delayed due to attempted fraud by some partnering companies, the Department of Employment and Labour said on Friday. The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), which administers the LAP, said a recent review identified weaknesses in administrative processes that had created opportunities for fraudulent claims. In response, the UIF is intensifying scrutiny of invoices and attendance records submitted by programme partners to safeguard public funds and restore payment timelines. “We are strengthening internal controls and verifying records more rigorously to improve accuracy and efficiency,” the UIF said in a statement. As part of its corrective measures, the UIF has begun implementing a new electronic system to streamline stipend payments and has hired short-term contractors to assist with the…

The US Federal Reserve keeps interest rates unchanged. As was expected, the US Federal Reserve’s FOMC during its meeting of June 17–18, 2025 has maintained the federal funds rate at 4.25%–4.50%. The FOMC, however, has indicated they will lower its bank rate by another two twenty-five‑basis‑point rate cuts later in 2025, as was released in their report last Wednesday. The abstaining of lowering rates can also be seen as the upside risk over escalating clashes between Israel and Iran. This is the fourth meeting in a row that the FOMC kept its short-term rate unchanged. The nervous and volatile environment due to the President Trump’s s chaotic tariff policies, the Middle East conflicts and other uncertainties in global markets, like the oil price, may led to unfounded signals that any…

An influential traditional chief in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta on Friday demanded that Shell pay $12 billion (R217bn)for environmental pollution before it leaves the region. Bubaraye Dakolo of the Ekpetiama Kingdom appeared before a federal high court in the southern city of Yenagoa demanding reparations for clean-up after decades of environmental damages by Shell, according to a statement by a coalition of civil society groups. Farming and fishing communities in the Niger Delta, the heartland of Nigeria's crude production, have fought years of legal battles over damage from oil spills in the area. UK energy giant Shell is one of the companies accused for decades of causing serious environmental degradation across Nigeria's southern oil- and gas-rich region. The monarch's legal challenge was prompted by Shell's recent divestment of $2.4bn in…

Vunani, the independent black-owned diversified financial services group, for the year ended February 28, 2025 posted a loss of R3.1 million, compared to a profit of R24.2m in 2024 amid a difficult and volatile operating environment owing to sluggish economic growth. Loss per share decreased to 7.1c from earnings per share of 9c the prior year. Headline loss per share decreased to 2.8 cents from headline earnings per share of 7.4c. Despite this the group declared a final dividend of 35 cents up from 9c the prior year. Chairman Lionel Jacobs and CEO Ethan Dube said notwithstanding these challenges, in the latter half of the year, Vunani saw a slight uptick in equity markets, which positively impacted growth in the company's funds undermanagement. "We were encouraged by the lowering of…

In a recent livestream that has sent ripples through the hip hop community, Lil Wayne’s son, Lil Novi, dropped a bombshell claim, asserting that his father wrote “most” of Drake’s lyrics. This revelation has reignited discussions about authorship and originality in the rap world, a topic that has long been a subject of scrutiny. For years, Wayne has been credited as the catalyst for Drake’s illustrious career, but now, his son argues that the accolades should extend further to creative contributions. “My dad wrote most of Drake’s sh*t,” Novi declared confidently when posed with the prompt to choose between his father and the Canadian rap superstar. “If it wasn’t for my pops, there wouldn’t be no Drake.” These provocative comments have quickly gained traction online, leading fans and experts alike…

In a groundbreaking judgment regarding general damages to be paid by the health authorities as compensation for an “unconscious claimant”, the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that such a claimant is not entitled to any award for pain and suffering. This ruling was made in a case where a mother whose child was born with cerebral palsy was awarded R2.2 million in general on behalf of her child. The child suffered a severe brain injury at birth due to the negligence of doctors at a Gauteng hospital. The child, represented by his mother, was awarded R13.3m for special damages. This is to make his life a bit easier by acquiring special aids and devices to cope with his needs. In addition, the Gauteng High Court earlier awarded the child R2.2m…

The two South African engineers who were locked up in an Equatorial Guinea’s Mongomo Prison for two years, have finally been released. Frederik ‘‘Frik’’ Potgieter, 53, and Peter Huxham, 55, were arrested at their hotel in Malabo in Equatorial Guinea on February 9, 2023 on drug-related charges. They were later found guilty of trafficking and illicit possession of drugs and sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment each. In addition, they were ordered to pay $5 million (more than R96m) each in damages with an additional $2.5m (more than R48m) fine to be shared between them. The men denied any wrongdoing. Since their arrest, their families as well as the South African government had advocated for their release. Government efforts included sending Special Envoys, to secure their release on humanitarian grounds. According…

The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has issued a stern condemnation of the United States’ recent military assault on Iran’s nuclear facilities, describing it as an unjustifiable act of aggression that threatens global peace and sovereignty. In a statement released yesterday, the MK Party denounced the attack carried out overnight against strategic sites at Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow as a flagrant violation of international law and an escalation of unilateral military actions that undermine efforts toward diplomacy and stability. According to the MK Party, the US strikes, which involved Tomahawk missiles and GBU-57 bunker-busters, lacked authorisation from the United Nations Security Council. “This reckless act is not defence; it is an outright declaration of war against the Iranian people,” the statement declared. It disregards Iran’s sovereignty and the principles of peace,…

The escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, which now includes the US, which carried out attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran on Sunday, has resulted in a number of travel advisories and alerts that SA travellers should note. On Sunday, the US joined Israel’s bombing campaign after days of speculation over whether they would be involvedin the conflict. In a televised address from the White House, after the strikes, US President Donald Trump said: “Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace.” Previously, on June 15, the Department of International Relations (Dirco) urged all South Africans in Iran to contact the Embassy in Tehran to ensure that they are registered with and that their whereabouts…

South Africa has become a playground for people who want to open political parties. Everyone thinks opening a political party is a quick way to make money, as long as that party can have enough votes to get a seat in parliament. Opening these political parties is no longer about serving the interests of the people or about ideology, but rather about getting a source of income. After being given a tough in the EFF, the former deputy president of the party, Floyd Shivhambu went to join the Umkhonto WeSizwe Party; ehre he is now the former Secretary General in just six months after joining them. The MKP is not the party that he thought it was, but a fiefdom that only exists to serve Zuma and his family.…

School evaluation is a vital component of the broader educational landscape. It is not a static or mechanical process but one that should evolve in response to the communities it serves. It must be fit for the age groups involved and sensitive to the specific needs and contexts of the school, including size, history, location, and socio-economic background. A major flaw in many evaluation systems is that they impose standardised instruments without adapting them to local realities. Small schools are often disadvantaged because anonymity cannot be maintained. Teachers may withhold honest feedback due to fear of reprisal, particularly when politics or interpersonal dynamics affect internal school relationships. In such environments, the purpose of evaluation is easily distorted. Moreover, evaluations must reflect the lived experiences of pupils and the teachers who…

Banyana Banyana captain Refiloe Jane says South Africa’s senior women’s national team is fully focused on one goal as they prepare to travel to Morocco for the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) — defending the continental crown they claimed in 2022. The reigning champions will begin their title defence in Group C, with their opening match scheduled for Monday, 7 July against Ghana at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda. The northern Moroccan city will serve as the team’s base for the group stages of the competition, which runs from 5 to 26 July. Having led the side to its historic maiden title three years ago, Jane insists the mission remains unchanged — regardless of changes in personnel. “I don’t think it’s going to be different — the objective…

Concerns about international oil prices and global supply chains surged on Sunday following the United States' military strike on three major nuclear sites in Iran. This move, which has escalated ongoing tensions in the Middle East, comes less than two weeks after Iran and Israel reignited hostilities. Analysts on Sunday warned that the fallout from these attacks could have dire implications for the global economy. In a recent televised address, US President Donald Trump described the airstrikes as a "spectacular military success," proclaiming that Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities—located in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—have been "completely and totally obliterated." Of biggest concern now is that Iran is mulling the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway at the mouth of the Persian Gulf controlled by Iran, which is…

In the first four months of this year alone, 482 South African businesses shut their doors. It’s a haunting number not only for our economy but for the families in crisis and the employees out of work. What went wrong? The hard truth is that many of these businesses probably thought they were doing everything right. They had loyal customers. They survived hard times before. But yet, this time they didn’t. One of the most dangerous things in business is the belief that you already know your customer, what worked before will work again and experience equals insight. Longevity isn’t the same as relevance. Just because you’ve been in business for ten years doesn’t mean you know what your customers need right now. Often, business owners mistake time served for…

The Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) and civil society groups have raised concern about rising prices of food in South Africa, largely driven by meat, specifically beef, due to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. Data from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) last week showed that food inflation increased to 4.4% in May from 3.3% in April, despite the headline consumer inflation remaining unchanged at 2.8%. Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist of Agbiz, acknowledged the acceleration of food price inflation but offered a note of cautious optimism. Sihlobo also noted that other products remained roughly unchanged while others experienced slowing price inflation. “Regarding meat, the key issues that have dominated the headlines are the outbreak of avian influenza in Brazil and its potential impact on domestic poultry supplies and prices. The second concern…

Margaret Thatcher, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom entered the realm of statistics and ultimately destroyed the Office of the National Statistics (ONS) of the United Kingdom. Felix Romer in a 2022 Journal article titled Poverty, Inequality Statistics and Knowledge Politics Under Thatcher demonstrates thus “Academic experts such as Townsend criticised the government for delays and omissions in official reports and for misleading statistical definitions that deliberately lowered the poverty count.” It took fifteen years of hard work from its former colonies to rebuild the UK ONS by Bill McClennan of Australia and Len Cooke of New Zealand who had to cross seas and continents to go and fix ONS. We do not need that history repeating itself in South Africa. It needs to be nipped in the bud.…

The hosts of the most recent UN climate talks are worried international lenders are retreating from their commitments to help boost funding for developing countries' response to global warming. This anxiety has grown as the Trump administration has slashed foreign aid and discouraged US-based development lenders like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from focussing on climate finance. Developing nations, excluding China, will need an estimated $1.3 trillion (R23trl) a year by 2035 in financial assistance to transition to renewable energy and climate-proof their economies from increasing weather extremes. But nowhere near this amount has been committed. At last year's UN COP29 summit in Azerbaijan, rich nations agreed to increase climate finance to $300 billion a year by 2035, an amount decried as woefully inadequate. Azerbaijan and…

Since its launch a year ago, the National Financial Ombud Scheme South Africa (NFO) has recovered R328.5 million for consumers who lodged complaints against financial institutions, the organisation announced in a statement on Friday. The NFO is a single, one-stop, dispute resolution service made up of four former longstanding industry ombud schemes: the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance, the Ombudsman for Long-term Insurance; the Credit Ombud and Ombudsman for Banking Services. Services are provided free of charge. Between March 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024, the NFO handled 35 855 complaints that had been dealt with by its four divisions, Non-life and Life Insurance, Banking and Credit. Reana Steyn, the head Ombud and CEO of the NFO, said, “This recovery of monies has helped individuals and families regain lost financial stability,…

K-pop powerhouse BTS members are all set to finish their military service by the end of this month and a reunion is being hinted at. Earlier this month, RM and V completed their military service and were greeted by jubilant fans at the Hybe headquarters in central Seoul. South Korea mandates approximately two years of military service for all able-bodied men between 18 and 28 as a defense measure against North Korea. Fans greeted members of the popular boy band at their military base, where the band members saluted the crowd and hinted at an upcoming “really cool performance” upon their return. Addressing both the media and their fans (ARMY), V expressed deep gratitude for their patience during their military service, promising a spectacular comeback performance. Fellow band members Jin…

In the wake of his exclusion from the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party’s parliamentary caucus, former secretary-general Floyd Shivambu has revealed plans to form a new political party. In a series of social media posts, Shivambu announced that he had received overwhelming support from South Africans eager to register as volunteers for the new movement. It seems that Shivambu may have known that he would not be going to parliament. The name “Mayibuye iAfrica”, a slogan meaning “Africa must return”, has emerged as a potential name for the new party. However, the name has already been widely registered by other political entities. Shivambu’s efforts will now go head to head with the EFF and the MKP, parties he was deputy president and secretary general of. Shivambu released a series of well-coordinated…

With just over 23 weeks left before South Africa gets to host the G20 Summit in November this year, more than 14 working groups from diverse civil society organisations gathered at The Capital on the Park in Sandton as part of the C20 South Africa Launch on Sunday. Chairperson Thulani Tshefuta highlighted the group's role not as adversaries of the government but as crucial partners who advocate for those most vulnerable in society and emphasised the need for advocacy work to align with South Africa’s medium term development plan and the United Nations' agenda for 2030. His call for a mass-based, people-centred approach resonated throughout the launch, pointing to the urgent need for comprehensive consultations that address the issues faced by communities across the country. "We are not anti-government…

Cybercrime was once again the topic of a legal wrangle – this time before the Supreme Court of Appeal, which found that payment via electronic transfer (EFT) is only complete when the funds are received by the correct account holder. This judgment followed legal proceedings between two car sale companies – with the one who bought two bakkies from the other only to discover after delivery of the vehicles that cybercriminals had intercepted the electronic payment made for the vehicles. None of the parties were prepared to take the financial loss, and the seller initially turned to the regional court in Louis Trichardt to get its R290 000 back – the price at which it sold the two bakkies. The lower court earlier ruled that Hyundai Louis Trichardt had to…

At a mass funeral in Vryheid, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema vowed to build houses and boreholes to the families of the ten young victims who lost their lives in a bus accident. The tragedy occurred last Monday night near Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal when a bus carrying supporters from Umlazi collided with a long-haul truck, resulting in a catastrophic crash. At the mass funeral yesterday Malema expressed his deepest condolences and promised support to the grieving families. “To the families of these young heroes, we say you are not alone. Your loss is our loss. Your tears are our tears. Your children are not forgotten,” he said “We must continue to be disciplined and die in the revolution, because to die in a revolution must be an honour, and…

A new documentary, Womxn: Working, making its world premiere at the Encounters South African International Documentary Festival, sheds urgent light on the ongoing struggle of sex workers in South Africa. Directed by Shanelle Jewnarain and produced by Tiny Mungwe and Mitchell Harper, the film chronicles a journey of activism spanning a decade of activism, resilience, and relentless advocacy for decriminalisation and justice. The film, made possible by NFVF and KwaZulu-Natal Film and Tourism Authority, set against the backdrop of South Africa’s alarming femicide crisis, Womxn: Working follows the lives of prominent sex work activists such as Nosipho Vidima, Dudu Dlamini, Constance Mathe, and the late Ruvimbo Tenga. According to Sharlene Versfeld from Versfeld & Associates, these women are fighting in courtrooms and Parliament, leading protests, organising vigils, and supporting their…

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said on that Saturday his club will have to sell players this summer for the stars' own good. The Premier League side brought in several players ahead of the Club World Cup, leaving Guardiola with a large squad. Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has been linked with a move to Turkish side Galatasaray in recent days. Guardiola said he did not know anything about it, but said several players would have to be sold following the purchases of Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri. "I will love to have the players we have right now all season," Guardiola told reporters in Atlanta. "The problem is they will be unhappy during the season, they will be sad, they will be disappointed. "I don't want that. I do…

Borussia Dortmund rebounded from an early setback to secure a 4-3 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns FC, claiming their first win in Group F of the FIFA Club World Cup 2023. The match kicked off with an unexpected twist; Sundowns’ Brazilian sensation, Lucas Ribeiro, put the South African side ahead just minutes into the game. In a moment that all young footballers dream of, Ribeiro received the ball at midfield, deftly evaded a defender and raced past another, before elegantly finishing past Dortmund's goalkeeper, Gregor Kobel. The goal sent the Sundowns fans into a frenzy, as their team appeared to have rattled the highly regarded Bundesliga outfit early on. However, Dortmund, known for their resilience and attacking prowess, quickly regrouped. The German side’s coaching staff must have lit a fire beneath…

Workers at State-funded poultry producer, Daybreak Foods, have initiated a campaign to secure funding for a business rescue exercise through the Public Investment Corporation (PIC). This comes as they find themselves in a state of limbo since the humanitarian crisis at the company’s farms erupted in early April. The Agricultural Food and Allied Democratic Workers Union (ASADWU) has confirmed the workers' pressing need for financial assistance, highlighting the dire circumstances as they last received their salaries in April. ASADWU secretary general, Sam Dlamini, stressed the urgency of the situation. The coalition of representatives is also appealing for the intervention of the Department of Labour, with hopes that operational activities at farms belonging to Daybreak can be revived while the business rescue process unfolds. "The workers have requested for the release…

Before the government spends R700 million on a(nother) national dialogue, it is reasonable to ask what the dialogue promises to deliver, is this worth more than R700 million and what are the chances the stated objectives will be achieved. Dr Oyama Mabandla, a member of the national dialogue preparatory task team, asks us to give the national dialogue a chance, reminding us that “[t]he national dialogue is an attempt to reinvigorate and fix a dangerously adrift democracy. It will involve the entire populace, instead of the self-selecting and incestuous elites, who have been producing one after another failed plan, while the rest of us have been spectators.” But of course it won't involve the entire populace and the outcome will be a big report that no one reads. How can…

One of the silent tragedies facing thousands of working-class families and homeowners are bank repossessions and auctions of their cars and homes. This is a moment of unbelievable pain that countless workers drowning in debt fear and one that they and their families will never recover from. A cursory read of the National Credit Regulator (NCR)’s reports reveal the shocking levels of debt most consumers find themselves in. These are in the most instance because they have to support spouses who’ve lost jobs, unemployed relatives, cover education fees for their and their siblings’ children, haven’t received an increase, and are struggling to cope with the rising costs of living. As workers borrow money to cope these often come at exorbitant interest rates. Eventually many are borrowing simply to pay…

Kumba Iron Ore on Friday announced a planned leadership transition, with chief financial officer (CFO) Bothwell Mazarura set to step down at the end of the year after nearly eight years with the Anglo American unit. Mazarura, who was appointed CFO and executive director in September 2017, will leave the position on December 31, 2025. He will continue to serve during his six-month notice period to ensure a smooth handover, the company said in a statement. Mazarura will also step down from his roles on the Social, Ethics and Transformation Committee and the Strategy and Investment Committee. “It has been a privilege to serve as CFO of Kumba,” Mazarura said. “The journey has been filled with immense pride in what we have achieved together. While I will leave Kumba later…

Karate Kid: Legends steps, with a light and sprightly gait, into the timeline of the 41-year-old movie and TV franchise, opening with a brief and un-belabored prologue, courtesy of artificial intelligence. That intro calls on Mr. Miyagi, the beloved character played by the late Pat Morita, to kick a small chronological incongruity out of the way by resuscitating the actor a la the final season of the spin-off series Cobra Kai. This brings the 2010 remake of The Karate Kid – originally conceived as a stand-alone kung-fu-themed reboot, set in China and starring action star Jackie Chan as a Miyagi-like mentor to a bullied youth played by Jaden Smith – into the same universe as the first film. Miyagi’s somewhat unorthodox karate-teaching methods are explained as being partly inspired by…

Property owners in Sunnyside, Arcadia and surrounding areas could face legal action if they do not comply with municipal building regulations after illegally converting two-bedroom units into five-bedroom spaces. City of Tshwane’s Housing and Human Settlements MMC, Aaron Maluleka, warned that conversions were putting vulnerable residents like students and young workers in harm’s way. He described the buildings’ compromised structural integrity as a ticking time bomb, posing risks of disasters like fires, collapses, or health hazards. “When such tragedies occur, the burden inevitably falls on the local government to respond, despite these risks being entirely preventable,” he said. He condemned property owners for exploiting desperate tenants following a crackdown on illegal accommodation in Sunnyside led by the integrated by-laws enforcement committee, comprising the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD), SAPS, traffic…

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) welcomes the heavy sentence imposed on a vehicle testing official from a private testing station. The Polokwane magistrate court today sentenced Mr Kabelo Chilenge (37) to six years’ direct imprisonment for fraudulently issuing a vehicle roadworthy certificate for a vehicle that he did not physically examine. The court found that a suspended sentence would not be appropriate in these circumstances. The certificate was issued at the Quick Test vehicle testing station in Modimolle, Limpopo, in April 2022, while the vehicle in question was in a police pound at the time. Although no evidence was led to prove that Chilenge benefited personally from the illicit transaction, the court drew the inference that such conduct could not be executed without gratification. The court said the accused…

The latest incident of alleged racism at Bryandale Primary School in Bryanston is yet another painful reminder that South African schools still have a long way to go before genuine transformation and inclusion are achieved. It is alleged that an Indian learner told two Black students, “You stupid Black people are so predictable.” Such language is deeply offensive, dehumanising, and has no place in any learning environment. This incident must be treated with the seriousness it demands, not as a “playground misunderstanding,” but as a reflection of wider issues of racism and marginalisation that persist in our schools. While many public and private schools proudly promote values of diversity and transformation in their mission statements, these values must go beyond lip service. Transformation is not a passive hope; it requires…

Africa is the youngest continent on earth, with over 70% of its population under the age of 30 (African Development Bank, 2021). Yet this demographic advantage – often celebrated with ceremonial fanfare during annual Youth Month observances – remains largely untapped. Behind the ritualistic drumbeats and cultural performances that typically mark these occasions lies a stark reality: across the continent, youth – especially young women and rural girls – face systemic marginalisation that restricts their access to education, political influence, and economic opportunity. The case of northern Cameroon Cameroon’s ratification of major international conventions on gender equality – including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) – has not prevented deep inequalities from persisting, particularly in the North, Adamaoua, and Far North regions.…

On Saturday, Mamelodi Sundowns drew first blood in their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 clash against German Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund, sending shockwaves through the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Despite their spirited performance, the South Africans ultimately succumbed to class and experience, as Dortmund secured their first win of the tournament with an eventual 4-3 scoreline in a seven-goal thriller. Sundowns capitalised on an early opportunity, surprising the German heavyweights with a well-worked goal that ignited their hopes of an upset. It was a statement moment for the South African side, but their joy was short-lived as Dortmund swiftly rallied. Dortmund, known for their attacking prowess, quickly responded to the challenge. With determination akin to their storied history in European football, the eight-time Bundesliga champions rallied back, firing…

The Springboks are set to kick off their 2025 international season on Saturday against the Barbarians in Cape Town, in a year head coach Rassie Erasmus will likely finalise some experiments in his team. While the focus will remain on winning as many of their matches — they will play 13 Tests and the invitational match against the Baabaas — to maintain a healthy standing on the World Rugby rankings for the World Cup draw later this year, it will be the final season where the Boks can fully experiment with certain players to see if they will fit into the 2027 Rugby World Cup plans. The showdown against the Barbarians at the DHL Stadium (5.10PM start) offers the reigning world champions the opportunity to shake off some rust after…

With a packed international calendar looming, the South African Football Association (SAFA) spent nearly 15 hours in a marathon National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting this past weekend to map out preparations for the country’s various national teams. Banyana Banyana are set to compete at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in July, while the SA U17 and U20 men’s teams are preparing for their respective FIFA World Cups in Qatar and Chile later this year. Bafana Bafana, meanwhile, have four crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers lined up between September and October. SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan confirmed that the NEC meeting, held at SAFA House in Johannesburg on Friday, started at 2pm and only concluded at 5am on Saturday morning. “We had several matters to deal with.…